Hat drier



vSept 8, 1942- A. o. HURx-l-HAI..` 2,2955475 HAT DRIER Filed Aug. 4,1939 2 Sheets-Sheet ll Sept. 8, 1942.

A. o. HURxTHAl.

HAT DRIER Filed Aug. 4, 193s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Simi-H l ik Patented Sept. 8, 1942 HAT DRIER Alpheus O. Hurxthal,Wyncote, Pa., assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Incorporated,Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 4,1939, Serial No. 288,418

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for drying hats of the felt type,or any of the various types and kinds of woven straws, etc., with thehats in a finished state, or while still in a completely or partlyformed blank stage or stages during the course of manufacture thereof.

Prior to the present invention, hats in the various stages ofmanufacture have been dried in the presence of circulating air whilehung on suitable conveyers moving through a drying chamber. In someinstances, the air has been circulated around the hats in a more or lessindiscriminate manner, with the result that some of the hats have beenblown o their supporting pegs and damaged. In most instances, however,the air has been blown downwardly on the hats, with a view to holdingthe hats on the pegs. This method has certain disadvantages,particularly when the hats are arranged in superposed relation to eachother on the conveyer. In such instances, the uppermost hats shield thelower ones and deilect the circulating air therefrom, with the resultthat the upper hats become overly dried, while those in the lowerelevations remain in a non-uniform partially dried state.

The object of the present invention is to produce a hat drier in whichthe hats may be arranged discreetly in superposed relation in verticallaterally spaced tiers, for the sake of space economy, and carriedthrough a drying chamber by a suitable conveyer.

In some instances, according to the principles of the present invention,the drier may also include a cooling chamber. In other instances aconditioning chamber may follow the cooling chamber. In other cases thedrier may include merely a drying chamber and a conditioning chamberwithout a cooling chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for directing adrying medium against the tiers of hats at vertically spaced intervals,in a generally horizontal but slightly declining direction, whereby thehats from top to bottom of each tier will be dried uniformly and at thesame time be retained securely on the pegs by which the hats areindividually supported,

An apparatus constructed and operated in accordance with the principlesof the present invention will be fully disclosed hereinafter, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of the drier taken on theline I-I Fig. 2; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, the drier comprises -a casing I composed ofsuitably insulated end and side walls 2, 2ar and 3, 3 respectively, anda similarly insulated roof 4. The interior of the casing I is dividedlongitudinally by a vertical partition 5 extending from the end wall 2to a point adjacent but spaced from the end wall 2a, producing withinthe casing a primary compartmentA, extending substantially along thefull length of the drier at one side of said partition; a secondarycompartment B, extending part way valong the length of the casing at theopposite side of the partition 5; and a final compartment C, extendingthe remainder of the way along the second side of the partition 5, thefinal compartment C being divided from the secondary compartment B by atransverse partition 6.

Extending the full vlength of the casing, through and beyond the endwall 2 thereof, is an overhead track 1, which consists of two parallelsections 'Ia and 'Ib with the sections 'la extending through thecompartment A and the section 'Ib extending through the compartments Band C. The parallel track sections 'Ia and Ib are joined, within thecasing I in a transverse compartment D formed between the end of thepartition 5 and the end wall 2a of the casing, by a semi-circularsection 1c. The opposite ends of the parallel sections Ia and 'Ib arejoined together, outside the opposite end wall 2 of the casing I, by asemi-circular section 1d.

Mounted on the track 1, for movement along the same, is a series ofcarriages or trolleys 8, 8, which may be conveyed along said track inany suitable manner, or by any suitable means such as a link-belt orchain 9 of the endless type passing around sprockets I0 and Il havingtheir respective axes of rotation arranged in alignment with the centersof the arcs of the curved sections Ic and 'Id respectively of the track1.

VThe chain 9 may be connected to the series of carriages 8 in anysuitable manner to retain the carriages in spaced relation to each otherlongitudinally of the track 'I.

Depending from each of the carriages 8 is a pole I2; and extendinglaterally from opposite sides respectively of each pole I2, in oppositedirections transverse to the track 1, is a double series of verticallyspaced angularly disposed pegs I3, I3 upon which the hats .r are hung invertical spaced superposed relation to each other and in substantiallyvertical alignment 'one with the other, whereby the hats are arrangedeconomically in vertical tiers, with the tiers spaced laterally one toanother along the full length of the rail "I,

The vertical tiers of hats are conveyed through tunnels I5, I5 formed inthe compartments A, B and C, between the central partition 5 and theside walls 3, 3 of the drier casing. Each tunnel includes an invertedV-shaped imperforate roof section I6 and a pair of perforated side WallsII, I'I. The side walls I'I, I1 are disposed, in downward outwardlyflaring relation to each other, at opposite sides respectively of andwith respect to the vertical median plane of each tunnel I5 in which thep'oles I2, I2 travel through said compartments.

Each side wall II is provided with `a .multiplicity of horizontally andvertically spaced rows of perforations I 8. Preferably the perforationsI8 are pressed out of the sheet metal of `which the side walls II arecomposed, in such a manner that the displaced metal surrounding eachperforation I8 forms an inwardly protruding nozzle I9. f

The side walls I"I, I I lying yadjacent to but spaced Vfrom `each of theopposite sides of the central partition .5 are connected to saidpartition by lhorizontal walls 20a, 20a. The perforated side walls Il,I'I, lying toward the walls 3, 3 of the casing I Vare connected, byhorizontal walls 20, 2D, to vertical partitions r2I, 2| spaced from and'lying intermediate the walls 3 and I'I in each instance.

vThe partitions ZI, 2I terminate above the base plane of the driercasing I and vthereby provide horizontal -transverse air channels 22, 22which communicate with vertical longitudinal air channels .23, 23 formedbetween -the vertical partitions 2|, 2I and the side walls 3', 3 of thecasing I.

At spaced intervals along each ofthe intermediate partitions 2I arecircular openings 24, in which are rotatably mountedair-circulating fans-25. Each fan 25 is Vmounted on a shaft 26 of an individual drivingmotor 2l. Each motor '2I 'is mountedoutside of and projects into thecasing I through the side wall 3 thereof. Adjacent the roof 4, thepartition 5 isconnected to Vsaid roof by oppositely curving filletVplates 28, 28.

Within the air channels 23, 23, between 4the lower edges of theintermedia-te partitions 2'I, 2I and the 4fan openings 24 therein,suitable conditioning units -29 are disposed, such units constitutingeither heating, `cooling or humidifying means for `the air movingthrough the Vpassages 23, A23 the character of the unit depending upon.the compartment A, B, or`C with which the particular air passage 23 vinwhich the unit is installed communicates.

Power may be-applied from any suitable source to either or both of thesprockets ,I0 and II, `for driving the .chain 9, whereby lthe carriages8 and the poles vI2 with the hats :v ,thereon are carried in thedirection of the arrow a, through-the compartment A; thence through thetransitional `compartment D at the one end of the casing I whichconnects the compartment A with .the

compartmentl B; thence through the compartments B and C in succession;and finally out into the open at the opposite end of the casing I, wherethe dried hats are removed from the pegs 13, .andwe't, damp .or moisthats to be dried are substituted therefor.

As the hats are conveyed through the tunnels I5, I5 in the compartmentsA,.B 'and C,;in succession,air is circulated by the -fans 25 upwardlythrough .the channels V23 .and the condtOning units .29 therein, thenlaterally inward in opposite directions toward the partition 5, throughthe openings 24 in the intermediate partitions 2 I, 2| into aircompartments 30 formed above the roofs I6, I6 of the tunnels I5, I5.From the upper air compartments 30, 30, the air moves downwardly, inchannels 3|, 3I formed between the side Walls I'I, II of the tunnels I5,I5 and the partitions 5 and 2l, 2I. From the channels 3|, the air movesthrough the nozzles I9 in the side walls I l, I'I, in a substantiallyhorizontal direction toward the central vertical median plane of eachtunnel, the air moving at' a slightly declining angle as a result of theangular aring relationship of the walls I 1, I'I of each of the tunnelsI5, whereby the air from the nozzles I9 impinges against the hats :r:along the full vertical length of each tier and holds the hats on thelpegs I3, as the impinging air eiects drying of the hats.

In one form of the invention, drying alone takes place in both thecompartments A-and B, 4for which purpose a large volume of air, heatedby the units 29, 29 in the channels'23, 23 communicating with thecompartments A and B, is directed by the nozzles I9, I 9 against thehats traveling successively through the tunnels I5 located in saidcompartments A and B.

In the compartment C, as shown in Fig. 2, a single fan 25 is provided tocirculate a lesser volume of air through the tunnel I5 located in saidcompartment, the temperature of the air being lower than thatcirculating in the compartments A and B, and effecting a generalconditioning of the hats prior to their exit from the casing I.

In other instances, the whole or a predetermined portion of the lengthof the compartment B may function as a cooling compartment, in whichcase the conditioning units 29 in the passage 23 communicating with thecompartment B, would produce a. relatively low temperature in thecirculating air, and whereby the hats, after leaving the dryingcompartment A, would be subjected to a precooling prior to entrance intothe conditioning compartment C.

I claim:

l. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means includinglaterally extending upwardly inclined elements supporting said hats inlaterally spaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hats disposedin vertically spaced superposed relation, and means for directingstreams of drying medium in a substantially horizontal direction againstsaid tiers from outer hat-supporting ends of said elements toward theopposite ends of said elements solely throughout a predeterminedhorizontal course traveled by said tiers.

2. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means includinglaterally extending upwardly inclined elements supporting said hats inlaterally spaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hats disposedin vertically spacedsuperposed relation, `and means for directingstreams of drying medium in a substantially horizontal direction againstsaid tiers at vertically spaced intervals respectively from outerhat-supporting ends of said elements toward the opposite ends of saidelements solely throughout a predetermined horizontal course traveled bysaid tiers.

3. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means includinglaterally extending upwardly inclined elements supporting said hats inlaterally spaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hats disposedin verticallyspaced'superposed relation, and means for directing streamsof drying medium in a substantially horizontal slightly decliningdirection against said tiers at vertically spaced intervals respectivelyfrom outer hat-supporting ends of said elements toward the opposite endsof said elements solely throughout a predetermined horizontal coursetraveled by said tiers.

4. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means in the formof an overhead trolley and depending poles provided with laterallyextending upwardly inclined pegs for supporting said hats in laterallyspaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hats disposed invertically superposed relation on said pegs respectively, and means fordirecting streams of drying medium in a substantially horizontalslightly declining direction against said tiers at vertically spacedintervals respectively throughout a predetermined horizontal coursetraveled by said tiers.

5. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means in the formof an overhead trolley and depending poles provided with laterallyextending upwardly inclined pegs for supporting said hats in laterallyspaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hats disposed invertically superposed relation on said pegs respectively, and means inthe form of a horizontal tunnel comprising perforated side walls fordirecting streams of drying medium in a substantially horizontalslightly declining direction against said tiers at vertically spacedintervals respectively throughout a predetermined horizontal coursetraveled by said tiers through said tunnel between said perforated sidewalls thereof.

6. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means in the formof an overhead trolley and depending poles provided with oppositelaterally extending upwardly inclined pegs for supporting said hats indouble laterally spaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hatsdisposed in vertically superposed relation on said pegs respectively,and means in the form of a horizontal tunnel comprising perforated sidewalls for directing streams of drying medium in a substantiallyhorizontal slightly declining direction simultaneously against oppositesides respectively of said tiers at vertically spaced intervalsrespectively throughout a predetermined horizontal course traveled bysaid tiers through said tunnel between said perforated side wallsthereof.

'7. A drier for hats, comprising horizontally movable means in the formof an overhead trolley and depending poles provided with oppositelaterally extending upwardly inclined pegs for supporting said hats indouble laterally spaced tiers each consisting of a plurality of hatsdisposed in vertically superposed relation on said pegs respectively,means in the form of a horizontal tunnel comprising perforated sidewalls for directing streams of drying medium in a substantiallyhorizontal slightly declining direction simultaneously against oppositesides respectively of said tiers at vertically spaced intervalsrespectively throughout a predetermined horizontal course traveled bysaid tiers through said tunnel between said perforated side Wallsthereof, means for circulating said drying medium through theperforations of said side Walls into said tunnel and around the outsidethereof at diiferent velocities in respectively different succeedingportions of said tunnel, and means for producing different predeterminedtemperatures in said circulating medium in diiierent predeterminedsucceeding portions of said tunnel.

8. A drier comprising an open-bottomed tunnel including a pair ofoppositely disposed downwardly divergent perforated side walls and animperforate roof s ection, a casing enclosing said tunnel, and means inthe casing for driving air around the outside of said roof and sidewalls of the tunnel and through said perforations in said side Wallssimultaneously in opposite generally horizontal slightly decliningdirections toward the vertical median plane of the tunnel, said airescaping from the interior of the tunnel through the open bottom thereoffor recirculation around the outside of the tunnel.

9. A drier comprising an open-bottomed tunnel including a pair ofoppositely disposed downwardly divergent perforated side walls and animperforated roof section of an inverted V-shaped cross section, acasing enclosing said tunnel, means in the casing for driving air aroundthe outside of said roof and side walls of the tunnel and through saidperforations in said side walls simultaneously in opposite generallyhorizontal slightly declining directions toward the vertical medianplane of the tunneLsaid air escaping from the interior of the tunnelthrough the open bottom thereof for recirculation around the outside ofthe tunnel, a supporting rail located in the apex of the roof, carriagesmounted on said rail for movement longitudinally thereof, polesdepending from said carriages in said median plane of said tunnel, andlaterally projecting pegs on said poles for supporting hats to be driedby said a1r.

ALPHEUS O. HURXTHAL.

